PREMIER SAUEHA PUTS REMOTE LEARNERS AT THE HEART OF NEW EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP

Premier Hon. Erick T. Saueha and Hon. Minister of Education Stephen Kumi sign the Agency Agreement at Honiara Hotel, with Rennell and Bellona Provincial Secretary Selwyn Vasuni looking on.

Representatives of the Rennell and Bellona Provincial Government, MEHRD and development partners at the Agency Agreement signing ceremony at Honiara Hotel.

Honiara 28 October 2026- Rennell and Bellona Premier, Hon. Erick T. Saueha, has called for the province’s new education agreements to deliver practical improvements for remote schools, declaring that geographical isolation must never limit children’s opportunities to learn.

Speaking at Honiara Hotel this morning, Premier Saueha said the Education Agency Agreement and Provincial Education Board Agreement with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) must translate into better support for teachers, stronger school governance and more equitable access to education.

Rennell and Bellona is the fifth province to sign the Agency Agreement. Premier Saueha and the Hon. Minister of Education, Stephen Kumi, signed on behalf of their respective governments.

“Our isolation has preserved our traditions, our communal spirit, and our resilience. But isolation must never mean disadvantage,” the Premier said.

He described education as central to the province’s future and to preserving its distinct Polynesian culture, heritage and identity. The agreements, he said, would help connect national education policy with provincial needs through clearer responsibilities, closer coordination and greater accountability.

The Agency Agreement sets out how the Provincial Government and MEHRD will share responsibilities for education delivery, with provincial school operations supported by Ministry technical guidance and oversight. The Provincial Education Board provides a forum for education stakeholders to help shape provincial priorities.

Premier Saueha cautioned that implementation would require sustained attention to resource shortages, costly transport, limited digital connectivity and school infrastructure needs.

“A signed agreement alone will not build classrooms, stock libraries, or power schools,” he said.

He identified free education as a priority, calling for national grants to reach schools reliably and be managed transparently so that fees and hidden costs do not prevent children from attending.

“Keeping our children in school, fully supported by resource-backed policies, is the ultimate measure of our success,” he said.

The Premier thanked MEHRD, provincial education officers, teachers, church leaders and communities for sustaining education services, and urged continued cooperation to turn the agreements into meaningful results in classrooms.

The ceremony was attended by MEHRD senior officials, the provincial delegation and development partners, including Australian DFAT and New Zealand officials led by Ms Ami Bah, First Secretary Education, Australian High Commission, and Ms Sammy O’Hara, Second Secretary Education, New Zealand High Commission, respectively.

ENDS///